Okay, I’ve held off long enough; time for one of my favorites. I’ve mentioned before that DFW is my preferred connection spot, and one reason why is the chance to stop at Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen. Originally located only in Terminal A, it was always worth a Skylink trip to visit Pappadeaux; now, thankfully, they’ve also opened a location in Terminal C.
In case it’s not obvious enough from the name, Pappadeaux’s theme is Cajun seafood, and for airport food, it’s terrific. I usually order is the shrimp gumbo, which is exactly what you would hope for: a rich, hearty soup full of deep flavor from the roux and vegetables, plus plenty of succulent shrimp. 
In case you care, I can’t identify the exact size of shrimp, but it’s not the extra small 61/70 count “bay shrimp” you find in some places. Rather, it’s more like a medium 31/35 count or so. I’m not a fan of anything that’s too spicy, and I find the gumbo just about perfect—there’s enough heat there that you notice and appreciate it, but not so much that it overwhelms you. And if, like me, you appreciate southern sweet tea, just get one of those to wash it down.
The other great thing about Pappadeaux is the setting. Terminal A’s location is located downstairs, which gives you a nice, removed sit-down setting that’s quiet and relaxed compared to the terminal above. And you don’t have to worry about losing track of your connection—one side of the space includes giant TV’s showing the departure status of all the flights in the airport. The newer, Terminal C location isn’t set downstairs, so it’s not as quiet. But it was still comfortable and, again, since it can save you or shorten the Skylink trip to A, I found the small reduction in atmosphere to be well worth it.
So, the next time you find yourself at DFW, treat yourself to Pappadeaux, I think you’ll enjoy it. See you in the skies!
